BY ABBY TORALBA
LA Salle outlasted University of Santo Tomas 25-20, 16-25, 25-8, 15-25, 16-14 yesterday to launch its bid on a rousing note in the 85th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Rookie Angel Canino led the Lady Spikers with 18 points along with 11 excellent receptions, while veteran Jolina Dela Cruz added 14 markers.
Leila Cruz also had 12 points, while team captain Marionne Alba tossed 14 excellent sets along with five markers for La Salle.
“Sobrang intense talaga. Iyong nangyari breaks of the game, so talagang kahit sino na lang doon,” Lady Spikers interim coach Noel Orcullo said.
“Suwerte kami. Sa amin pumanig iyong break,” he added.
With the count knotted at 14-all in the deciding set, Milena Alessandrini committed a service error, giving La Salle match point 15-14 before an attacking error by Eya Laure ended the match.
Laure and the returning Alessandrini, who sat out since Season 81, fired 19 and 10 points, respectively.
Earlier, Far Eastern University thumped University of the Philippines 25-16, 23-25, 25-17, 26-24.
Jovelyn Gonzales led the Lady Tamaraws, who snapped their 11-game losing streak dating back to last season, with 18 points, while skipper Tin Ubaldo tossed 16 excellent sets along with five markers.
Chenie Tagaod and Alyzza Devosora also had 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Recto-based squad.
Alyssa Bertolano paced the Fighting Maroons with 14 points, Nina Ytang added 13, while team captain Jewel Encarnacion and Stephanie Bustrillo had 12 markers apiece.
